Abstractions in Historical and Contemporary Contexts: A Deist Perspective

By Lewis Loflin

Introduction: Analyzing Abstractions Across Time

As of April 1, 2025, this analysis examines the role of abstractions in shaping ideological and societal frameworks, both historically and in contemporary contexts. From the early Christian Church’s doctrinal constructs to modern concepts such as systemic racism, abstractions have often served to consolidate authority rather than advance empirical truth. Through a Deist perspective, grounded in reason and evidence, this study critiques the persistence of such strategies and their implications for societal governance.

Pauline Christianity and Historical Abstractions

The teachings of the Apostle Paul, as interpreted and institutionalized by the early Christian Church, established a foundation for abstract theological constructs. Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith (Galatians 3:11) attracted God-Fearers—Gentiles adhering to the Noachide Laws without full Jewish conversion—into the Christian fold. By the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, this evolved into a formalized theology of deferred salvation, encouraging adherents to endure earthly hardships with the promise of posthumous reward, while attributing suffering to external forces such as Jews or malevolent entities (Ephesians 6:12). Elaine Pagels’ The Origin of Satan illustrates how the concept of Satan was transformed from a Jewish theological figure into a tool for suppressing dissent within Christianity (John 8:44), serving political rather than spiritual ends.

This abstraction, emphasizing inherited sin (Romans 5:12) over individual ethical responsibility, aligned with the Roman Empire’s need for social control. The significant escort of 470 soldiers provided to Paul (Acts 23:23-24) underscores his strategic importance to imperial stability. The Church further perpetuated this framework, promoting hope as a deferred ideal (Romans 5:5) to maintain institutional authority, prioritizing governance over spiritual enrichment.

Contemporary Abstractions in Progressive Ideologies

Modern ideological constructs mirror the historical use of abstractions to shift focus from individual agency to systemic issues. The concept of systemic racism, often presented as a pervasive yet unquantifiable force, exemplifies this approach. Research documented at sullivan-county.com indicates that educational funding disparities—$10,000 per pupil in Texas versus $20,000 in Massachusetts—yield comparable academic outcomes for Black and Hispanic students. Disciplinary measures, such as suspensions, correlate closely with behavioral patterns reflected in crime statistics, suggesting that individual conduct, rather than systemic bias, significantly influences results. The absence of proportional improvements despite doubled funding challenges the narrative of systemic prejudice as a primary determinant.

Such abstractions redirect attention from tangible factors, such as family structure or personal responsibility, toward societal deficiencies that justify increased institutional control and resource allocation. Progressive ideologies, akin to the early Church’s tactics, propose solutions like “equity” that remain abstract and unmeasurable, preserving the socioeconomic status of proponents while deflecting accountability. This parallels historical practices, such as those codified in the Codex Theodosianus (16.2), where systemic blame obscured individual or institutional responsibility.

A Deist Perspective on Reason and Accountability

From a Deist standpoint, abstractions are scrutinized through the lens of reason and empirical evidence. Theological constructs like Arian monotheism provide a clear conception of divinity, avoiding the complexities of Trinitarian doctrine. Similarly, Pelagian emphasis on free will underscores individual accountability, rejecting deferred promises of salvation. Scientifically, a view of evolution as guided by purpose, rather than random chance, aligns with observable order in the natural world. Both the Pauline legacy, as shaped by the Church, and contemporary progressive rhetoric prioritize institutional power over substantive solutions, a pattern evident in educational emphases at institutions like Bob Jones University, which prioritize Pauline theology over the teachings of Jesus (bju.edu).

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